New Delhi: Bangladesh have named five uncapped players in their 15-man squad for the upcoming two-match home T20I series against Sri Lanka. All-rounder Mahedi Hasan and U-19 vice-captain Afif Hossain are among the uncapped players. The T20I series begins on February 15 at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka.
Besides the duo, pacer Abu Jayed, Ariful Haque and Zakir Hasan have also been included in the squad. Seamer Jayed was the second highest wicket-taker in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) in 2017, while Mahedi bagged ten wickets at a strike rate of 25.70 in the league.
Batsmen Ariful and wicketkeeper-batsman Zakir were also impressive in this year’s BPL. Bangladesh, who have made seven changes in the side, have also called back seamer Abu Hider after a gap of two years, ESPNcricinfo reported.
Meanwhile, Tamim Iqbal and Mustafizur Rahman also returned to the side after being ruled out of the South Africa T20Is in October due to respective injuries.
Imrul Kayes, Liton Das, Mehidy Hasan, Shafiul Islam, Mominul Haque, Nasir Hossain and Taskin Ahmed have all been left out from the side.
The Bangladesh T20 squad is as follows:
Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Abu Hider, Abu Jayed, Ariful Haque, Mahedi Hasan, Zakir Hasan, Afif Hossain.
(With ANI inputs)